Photo Flash: Remembering Jan Maxwell
By: Walter McBride Feb. 12, 2018
As BroadwayWorld sadly reported yesterday, Broadway star Jan Maxwell passed away at 61 years of age after a battle with cancer. The star is survived by her husband, actor/playwright Robert Emmet Lunney, and their son William Maxwell-Lunney.
Jan Maxwell, a five-time Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk Award winner, was last seen on stage in City of Conversation at Lincoln Center, for which she was nominated for 2015 Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards and Scenes From an Execution in the Potomac Theatre Project revival at Atlantic Theater's Stage II.
Maxwell made her Broadway debut in 1989, as an understudy in the musical City of Angels. She received her first Tony nomination in 2005 for the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her other nominations were for Coram Boy in 2007, Lend Me a Tenor and The Royal Family both in 2010, and Follies in 2012. Her nominations in two separate categories in 2010, made her only the fourth actress to achieve two nominations in a single year. Her 2012 nomination for Follies made her only the second actress to receive a Tony nomination in all four acting categories. Her other Broadway credits include, Dancing at Lughnasa (1992), A Doll's House (1997), The Sound of Music (1998) and The Dinner Party (2001).
Maxwell has appeared in films and television shows such as I Am Michael with James Franco, Neil LaBute's Billy and Billie (2014-15), The Divide (2014), The Good Wife (2014), and Gossip Girl (2009-2011). From 1994-2003, she appeared in four episodes of the NBC drama Law & Order, each time as a different character.
On Broadway she starred in Stephen Sondheim's Follies, where she was nominated for the Tony, Grammy, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Helen Hayes and Fred Astaire Awards.
Ms. Maxwell was nominated for two Tony Awards in 2010 - The Royal Family and Lend Me a Tenor. She won the Drama Desk Award for Best Actress for The Royal Family, Coram Boy (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Drama Desk Award, Tony nomination), Sixteen Wounded (Drama Desk nomination), A Doll's House, The Sound of Music, The Dinner Party, Dancing at Lughnasa and City of Angels.
We remember the radiant star with photos from throughout her career below...
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
Jan Maxwell attending Planet Hollywood Opening Night After Party for the Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of "The Royal Family" in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell pictured with her son at the 66th Annual Tony Awards held at The Beacon Theatre in New York City , New York on June 10, 2012.
The Opening Night Performance Theatre Poster Marquee of The Roundabout Theatre Company's Production of ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City..The Play stars Alec Baldwin, Chris Carmack, Richard Easton & Jan Maxwell..March 16, 2006.
Curtain Call for The Opening Night Performance of The Roundabout Theatre Company's Production of ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City..The Play stars Alec Baldwin, Chris Carmack, Richard Easton & Jan Maxwell. March 16, 2006.
Chris Carmack, Jan Maxwell and Alec Baldwin.Attending the Opening Night Party for The Roundabout Theatre Company's Production of ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE at the Laura Pels Theatre in New York City. March 16, 2006.
Jan Maxwell attends the Off-Broadway Opening Night Performance for 'Disaster!' at the St. Luke's Theatre on November 4, 2013 in New York City.
Tom Riis Farrell, Jan Maxwell and Jennifer Simard attend the Off-Broadway Opening Night Performance for 'Disaster!' at the St. Luke's Theatre on November 4, 2013 in New York City.
Theatre Marquee.at the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Follies' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Theatre Marquee.at the Broadway Opening Night Performance of 'Follies' at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Jennifer Foote ('Follies') with Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein & Elaine Paige.attending the Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for 'Follies' Recepient Jennifer Foote at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Jennifer Foote ('Follies') with Bernadette Peters, Jan Maxwell, Ron Raines Danny Burstein, Terri White & Elaine Paige.attending the Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for 'Follies' Recepient Jennifer Foote at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Elaine Paige, Ron Raines, Jan Maxwell, Bernadette Peters, Danny Burstein, Jayne Houdyshell, Susan Watson.during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell, Bernadette Peters & Danny Burstein during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Mary Beth Peil, Terri White, Rosalind Eias. Elaine Paige, Ron Raines, Jan Maxwell, Bernadette Peters, Danny Burstein, Jayne Houdyshell, Susan Watson, Don Correia & Michael Hayes during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Elaine Paige, Ron Raines, Jan Maxwell, Bernadette Peters, Danny Burstein, Jayne Houdyshell during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Rosalind Eias. Elaine Paige, Ron Raines, Jan Maxwell, Bernadette Peters, Danny Burstein, Jayne Houdyshell & Susan Watson during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Xanthe Elbrick & Jan Maxwell attending the 2007 Tony Awards Meet the Nominees Press Reception at the Mariott Marquis Hotel in New York City. May 16, 2007
Jan Maxwell & Katie Finneran attending The 60th Annual Outer Critic Circle Theatre Awards at Sardi's Restaurant, New York City. May 27, 2010
Ensemble cast featuring: Reg Rogers, Tony Roberts, RoseMary Harris, Jan Maxwell & Kelli Barrett during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell, Marc Kudisch, Erin Dilly and Alex Sanchez ( Gypsy winner for CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG ) Attending the Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for Broadway's New Fantasmagorical Musical, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at the Hilton Theatre in New York City. April 28, 2005
Jan Maxwell ( ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE ) Attending the Official Drama Desk Cocktail Reception honoring this year's Drama Desk Award Nominees at Arte Cafe in New York City. May 2, 2006
Jan Maxwell & son ( ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE ) Attending the Official Drama Desk Cocktail Reception honoring this year's Drama Desk Award Nominees at Arte Cafe in New York City. May 2, 2006
Jan Maxwell attending the 51st Annual Drama Desk Awards at FH Laguardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City. May 21, 2006
Jan Maxwell atttending the Official Drama Desk Cocktail Reception at Arte Cafe Restaurant in New York City, New York, USA. May 1, 2007
Jan Maxwell arriving at the 61st Annual Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall New York City on June 10, 2007.
Theatre Marquee for the Opening Night Performance of The Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of TO BE OR NOT TO BE at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City..October 14, 2008. Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw directs the world premiere of To Be Or Not to Be, written by Nick Whitby, based on the film of the same name.
Theatre Marquee for the Opening Night Performance of The Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of TO BE OR NOT TO BE at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City..October 14, 2008. Tony nominee Casey Nicholaw directs the world premiere of To Be Or Not to Be, written by Nick Whitby, based on the film of the same name.
RoseMary Harris & Jan Maxwell during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
RoseMary Harris & Jan Maxwell during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
RoseMary Harris, Tony Roberts & Jan Maxwell during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
RoseMary Harris, Tony Roberts & Jan Maxwell during the Manhattan Theatre Club's Productions Opening Night Curtain Call for "The Royal Family" at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell attending Planet Hollywood Opening Night After Party for the Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of "The Royal Family" in New York City. October 8, 2009
Anthony Newfield, Jan Maxwell, John Wernke attending Planet Hollywood Opening Night After Party for the Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of "The Royal Family" in New York City. October 8, 2009
Tony Roberts, Jan Maxwell, David Greenspan attending Planet Hollywood Opening Night After Party for the Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of "The Royal Family" in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell pictured at the 76th Annual Drama League Awards Ceremony And Luncheon at the Marriot Marquis in New York City on May 21, 2010.
Jan Maxwell attending The 60th Annual Outer Critic Circle Theatre Awards at Sardi's Restaurant, New York City. May 27, 2010
Jan Maxwell, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Brooke Adams attending the Meet & Greet for "Lend Me A Tenor" at the New 42nd Street Studios in New York City. February 25, 2010
Jan Maxwell pictured during the 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards Ceremony Presentation, FH LaGuardia Concert Hall in New York City on May 23, 2010.
Jan Maxwell pictured during the 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards Ceremony Presentation, FH LaGuardia Concert Hall in New York City on May 23, 2010.
Jan Maxwell pictured at the 2010 Tony Award Nominees "Meet the Nominees Press Reception" at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City on May 5, 2010.
Jan Maxwell pictured at the 2010 Tony Award Nominees "Meet the Nominees Press Reception" at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City on May 5, 2010.
Jan Maxwell pictured at the 2009 - 2010 Drama Desk Awards Nominees Cocktail Reception at Churrascaria Plataforma Restaurant in New York City on May 6, 2010.
Tony Roberts, Jan Maxwell attending Planet Hollywood Opening Night After Party for the Manhattan Theatre Club's Production of "The Royal Family" in New York City. October 8, 2009
Jan Maxwell.attending the Opening Night Performance of The Masnhattan Theatre Club's 'Master Class' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City.
Jan Maxwell.attending the Opening Night Performance of The Masnhattan Theatre Club's 'Master Class' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City.
Jan Maxwell After a Performance of 'Follies' at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Jan Maxwell After a Performance of 'Follies' at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Jan Maxwell & Company.attending the Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for 'Follies' Recepient Jennifer Foote at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Jan Maxwell & Company.attending the Opening Night Gypsy Robe Ceremony for 'Follies' Recepient Jennifer Foote at the Marquis Theatre in New York City.
Jan Maxwell during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell during the Broadway Opening Night Curtain Call for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attending the Broadway Opening Night After Party for 'Follies' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attending the Broadway Opening Night Performance for 'Born Yesterday' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attending the After Party for the Red Bull Theatre Revival of 'The Witch Of Edmonton' at Theatre at St. Clement's in New York City..
Jan Maxwell arriving for the Opening Night Performance of the Manhattan Theatre Club's 'Good People' in New York City.
Jan Maxwell, Mary Catherine Garrison, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Brooke Adams, Ken Ludwig, Stanley Tucci,Justin Bartha, Jay Klatiz, Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Shalhoub attending the Meet & Greet for "Lend Me A Tenor" at the New 42nd Street Studios in New York City. February 25, 2010
Theatre Marquee for the Opening Night Performance of the Second Stage Theatre's Production of "WINGS" in New York City. October 24, 2010.
Jan Maxwell performing in 'MISCAST 2012' MCC Theatre's Annual Musical Spectacular at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on 3/26/2012.
Jan Maxwell performing in 'MISCAST 2012' MCC Theatre's Annual Musical Spectacular at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on 3/26/2012.
Jan Maxwell performing in 'MISCAST 2012' MCC Theatre's Annual Musical Spectacular at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on 3/26/2012.
Jan Maxwell performing in 'MISCAST 2012' MCC Theatre's Annual Musical Spectacular at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on 3/26/2012.
Jan Maxwell attends the 'Outside Mullinger' Broadway opening night at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 23, 2014 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell & RoBert Emmett Lunney attending the Opening Night Performance of the Manhattan Theatre Club's 'The Other Side' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City on 1/10/2013
Jan Maxwell and Robert Emmet Lunney attends the 'Outside Mullinger' Broadway opening night at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 23, 2014 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the 2014 Drama Desk Awards Nominees Reception at the JW Mariott Essex House on May 7, 2014 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the Off-Broadway Opening Night After Party for 'Rasheeda Speaking' at the West Bank Cafe on February 11, 2015 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the 30th Annual Second Stage All-Star Bowling Classic at Lucky Strike on January 30, 2017 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the 30th Annual Second Stage All-Star Bowling Classic at Lucky Strike on January 30, 2017 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the 30th Annual Second Stage All-Star Bowling Classic at Lucky Strike on January 30, 2017 in New York City.
Jan Maxwell attends the Broadway Opening Night of 'Lillian Helman's The Little Foxes' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on April 19, 2017 in New York City
Jan Maxwell attends the Broadway Opening Night of 'Lillian Helman's The Little Foxes' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on April 19, 2017 in New York City
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